Pattern of neonatal birth injuries among deliveries conducted at Kamla Nehru hospital, Shimla: a prospective cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20261908Keywords:
Birth injuries, Intrapartum monitoring, Neonate, Prolonged labor, Physical examinationAbstract
Background: Neonatal birth injuries refer to anatomical or functional harm sustained during childbirth and encompass a broad clinical spectrum. This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of neonatal birth injuries on physical examination among deliveries conducted at Kamla Nehru Hospital, Himachal Pradesh.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted over 12 months on 376 live neonates. A standardized physical examination was performed within the first 2 hours of life to detect injuries such as caput succedaneum, cephalohematoma, fractures and soft tissue trauma. Associations with maternal, intrapartum and neonatal risk factors were analysed.
Results: The overall incidence of neonatal birth injuries was 20.7% (78 out of 376 neonates). Head and neck injuries were the most common (89.7%), followed by limb and joint injuries (7.7%). A statistically significant association was observed between the mode of delivery and birth injuries (p<0.001); 62.8% of injured neonates were delivered via normal vaginal delivery. Prolonged labor was a highly significant predictor of birth trauma (OR: 33.94, p<0.001). Neonatal sex, maternal comorbidities and gravida status showed no statistically significant association with the occurrence of birth injuries.
Conclusions: Birth injuries remain a prevalent clinical challenge that is predominantly influenced by intrapartum mechanical factors, particularly prolonged labor and mode of delivery, rather than maternal demographics.
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